Local business
built on trust!

Janet Thomson

A small architecture and design practice based in a converted cow shed near Lintrathen is one of two finalists in the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) Business Awards in Tayside.

Ben and Rosemary Scrimgeour of Building Workshop will find out next month at the Awards ceremony whether they are the winner or the runner up.

The winner receives a £1000 prize and the runner up will receive £500 which is to be reinvested into the company.

The awards are sponsored by Gordon Deuchars of GA Engineering - a successful PSYBT backed company.

The first round of the competition entry was a written submission followed by a “Dragon’s Den” style interview with the sponsor, and representatives from PSYBT and Business Gateway.

Ben and Rosemary, both former pupils of Webster’s High School, established Building Workshop in 2009. Their company designs energy-efficient, sustainable and beautiful buildings with their work already being singled out for awards - in 2010 it won a Shell Livewire Grand Ideas Award and was listed as one of Shell Livewire’s ‘Hot 40’ young companies in the UK.

They are working on projects all over the UK, from a contemporary kitchen extension in Kirriemuir to a large barn conversion in the Cotswolds. They have also completed projects in London and the French Alps.

Building Workshop, which is supported by the PSYBT, is a young and enthusiastic practice, using the latest 3D computer aided design package.

Ben and Rosemary are passionate about architecture, love design and live and breathe simplicity.

On their website they explain they love good design and enjoy working with their clients on all sorts of projects, from a new house to a bright contemporary kitchen, or a cool hen house.

Ben studied architecture at the University of Dundee, graduating in 2008 with an MArch with distinction. He spent his placement year working at Foster + Partners in London before starting up Building Workshop whilst working towards his chartership.

Rosemary studied in Bath, graduating with an MA in Interpreting. She has spent time living in Europe and South America before coming back to Scotland. She runs Building Workshop’s drawing office and loves making cakes for meetings!

They add: “We pride ourselves on the work we do and are passionate about every project, from the first sketch on our yellow paper, until the last light bulb is fitted.”

Commenting on their latest success Rosemary said: “It’s great to be a PSYBT supported company. It gives many great opportunities and we are really excited to be in the final two of the PSYBT business awards”.